SDCC13: Enderís Game Fan Experience

One of the neatest free attractions at this year's San Diego Comic-Con was The Ender's Game Fan Experience. Located under a large tent-like structure right outside the convention center, the exhibit showcased actual props and sets from the upcoming movie. Based on the award-winning sci-fi novel of the same name by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game stars Asa Butterfield as Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, an unusually gifted child who is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future alien invasion. The film hits theaters November 1st in the U.S.

As all these Comic-Con attractions go, fans must endure a line to get in. Thursday evening for Ender's Game was a brief 20 minutes, but walking by the exhibit Friday and Saturday showed tons of curious fans flocking over to check it out. First step in the line was to have your photo taken, your mug shot then printed onto a passcard to get you inside (and making for a cool collectible keepsake). Attendees also received a real-metal dog tag (another nice memento) featuring one of the eight "Battle School" classes (check them out HERE). I got the snake clan (I'm not sure what they are actually called). Cooooobbbbrrraaaa...

After being made an official cadet, the line whisked into the complex where we were introduced to Ender's future home and family. As the sign proclaimed, we were walking through actual sets from the movie. Next was a spaceship crew department, surely the craft that will take Ender from Earth to the space station training facility in orbit (be sure to read the book, it's some good sci-fi). Ender's computerized classroom was next, a place where fans could take a seat and pretend to be learning something.

Passing by the Battle School class icons, fans traveled through a huge vault door and into a room that a had you looking at a computer generated "Zero G Training Room". The next location was the most interesting, the room housing numerous props from the movie. Featured was Ender's Zero-G outfit (pictured below) and Cycloton Gun, his class ring, training computer and more.

Upon exiting the building, fans had the opportunity to have their picture taken again, this time against a green screen to simulate you floating in the Zero-G Training Room. Overall, Summit Entertainment/ HGTV put together a very enjoyable fan experience. There was no running around the crowded convention floor at set times throughout the day to get in (like another event I'll be discussing soon *ahem* Godzilla), just a straight forward get-in-line-and-enjoy-the-show affair. The Ender's Game Fan Experience was well thought-out and informative and a memorable Comic-Con adventure.